Þrúðr

Þrúðr (Old Norse "strength"Lindow (2001:291).] ),sometimes anglicized as Thrúd or Thrud, is a daughter of the major god Thor in Norse mythology. Þrúðr is also the name of one of the valkyries who serve ale to the einherjar in Valhalla ("Grímnismál", stanza 36). The two may or may not be the same figure. [Simek 1987]

Attestations

Þrúðr is attested in the following sources:

"Poetic Edda"

In "Skáldskaparmál" (4), Snorri Sturluson tells that Thor can be referred to by the "kenning" "father of Þrúðr" ("faðir Þrúðar"). Eysteinn Valdason uses it in his poem about Thor (2). The "Skáldskaparmál" (21) adds that her mother is Sif.

Even if her name is not given, the Eddic poem "Alvíssmál", in which Thor's daughter is engaged to a dwarf, Alvíss, may also be related to Þrúðr.

"Prose Edda"

In Bragi Boddason's "Ragnarsdrápa", the Jötunn Hrungnir is called "thief of Þrúðr" ("Þrúðar þjófr"). But there is no direct reference to this myth in any other source. The "Skáldskaparmál" (17), in which Snorri relates the fight between Thor and Hrungnir, mentions a very different cause, and Þjóðólfr of Hvinir's "Haustlöng" only describes the fight without giving the reason for it. This poem depicts two mythological scenes painted on a shield, the first being Iðunn's abduction by the giant Þjazi. Margaret Clunies Ross suggested that the two episodes might be complementary, both dealing with the abduction of a goddess by a giant, its failure and the death of the abductor.Clunies Ross 1994, p. 114.] Another "kenning" may allude to this myth: in Eilífr Goðrúnarson's "Þórsdrápa" (18), Thor is called "he who longs fiercely for Þrúðr" ("þrámóðnir Þrúðar").

Karlevi Runestone

Þrúðr is mentioned on 10th century Karlevi runestone on the island of Öland, Sweden where a chieftain is referred to as the "tree of Þrúðr".Entry Öl 1 in Rundata 2.0 for Windows.]

Kennings

The name Þrúðr could be used in "kennings" for chieftains as exemplified on the Karlevi Runestone. The name is also used in "kennings" for women. Ormr Steinþórsson, for instance, uses in his poem about a woman (4) the "kenning" "hrosta lúðrs gæi-Þrúðr", which, according to Anthony Faulkes, can be rendered into "keeper of the malt-box (mash-tub) or ale-vessel" [Faulkes 1998, p. 297.] .

Modern references

Thrud appears as a major character in the Danish young adult fantasy novel "Erik Menneskesøn" by Lars-Henrik Olsen.

Notes

References

*Lindow, John (2001). "Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs". Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515382-0.
* Clunies Ross, Margaret (1994). "Prolonged Echoes. Old Norse Myths in medieval Northern Society. Vol. 1: The myths." Odense: Odense University Press. The Viking Collection; vol. 7. ISBN 8778380081.
* Faulkes, Anthony (1998), edition of: Snorri Sturluson. "Edda. Skáldskaparmál. 2. Glossary and Index of Names." London: Viking Society for Northern Research. ISBN 0-903521-38-5.
* Simek, Rudolf (1987). "Dictionary of Northern Mythology". Translated by Angela Hall. Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 1996. ISBN 0-85991-513-1.
* Rundata 2.0 for Windows.